The government in Israel is developing close ties with evangelical Christians in the United States, a constituency Netanyahu finds friendlier than his sometimes frosty relationship with liberal American Jews. This new alliance forces Israeli leaders to put up with a variety of theological slurs. The prayer offered at last month’s opening of a U.S. embassy in Jerusalem came from Rev. Robert Jeffress, from First Baptist Dallas, Texas. Jeffress is on record for claiming “you can’t be saved by being a Jew,” and that “Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and Mormonism lead followers to an eternity in hell.” The judgmentalism is forgiven in light of the political support of Donald Trump and his evangelical flock.

The White House made a sudden shift in its communication with Muslims at the start of Ramadan this year. Whereas last year’s Ramadan posting focused on terrorism and the “shared obligation to reject violence,” this year’s missive “reminds us of the richness Muslims add to the religious tapestry of American life.” Questions about the shift went unanswered by the White House. That it happened at all is another indication that being interfaith-friendly is important to us all.

“We reaffirm that violence and terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group, as violent extremism and terrorism in all its forms and manifestation including violence against civilians and suicide attacks are against the holy principles of Islam.”

In the roiling politics of refugees and immigration in Europe comes an amazing story about Bavaria, a state in southeastern Germany. A law has been passed that all public buildings there have to have a cross affixed to it. The defenders say the issue is cultural, not religious, and explain their good intentions. The upshot is that Muslim rights locally are better defended by a traditionally Catholic government than by the right-wing extremists who are challenging the current government. Two excellent stories, one in the Guardian and the other in the New York Times fill in the background and details, proving how utterly complicated interreligion and politics can be today.

Proposed Zuist ziggurat to be built in Reykjavik, Iceland – Photo: Zuist Society

In Iceland more than 3,000 have joined the Zuist religion, founded in 2016 and dedicated to the pantheon of gods and goddesses worshipped in ancient Sumeria, the first literate civilization in ancient Mesapotamia. Zuists now want to have their own sanctuary, which they call a Ziggurat. They have applied to the local authorities to receive a suitable piece of land on which to build.